The Commemoration & Ceremony of Benefactors and Benefactors' Feast 2023

On 28th April we welcomed Queens' benefactors and guests in a celebration of philanthropy

Photos by Ian Olsson

Photos by Ian Olsson

The traditional Benefactors' Ceremony, which dates back to the fifteenth century, took place in Chapel on April 28th. The Praelector, Dr David Butterfield, and the Dean of Chapel, Revd Tim Harling, led the proceedings. The President, Dr Mohamed El-Erian, thanked each benefactor one by one. A list of some of the major benefactors of the College since its foundation was then recited by the President, who then gave thanks to current donors.

After the Commemoration, there was a reading from student Grace Burton (2021), a beneficiary of The Nourhan Nassar Fund in Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, followed by an address from the Arthur Armitage Fellow in Law and Senior Fellow, Professor Richard Fentiman KC.

Upon entering and leaving the Chapel, guests were greeted by music played by the George Phillips Junior Organ Scholar, Jack McCabe (2021) and Aliki Vatikioti Senior Organ Scholar, Ben Markovic (2021). The ceremony included the Magnificat in A (Stanford) from the Choir and a solo from violist Justin Chen (2021).

The celebrations continued with a tour of the Old Library, including the '500 Years of Maths at Queens' exhibition, followed by a drinks reception in the Long Gallery and a feast in Old Hall, at which Georgia Box (2022) gave a speech about her experience as an Alexander Crummell Scholar.

Photos below by Ian Ollson